The only political office he ever sought was a single term as governor, and he narrowly won the election of 1916.

[2] He was also vice president of Gardner Motor Co. which operated in St. Louis from 1920 to 1932 and manufactured hearses and ambulances.

[2] He also operated casket manufacturing plants in Memphis, Tennessee; Texarkana, Arkansas; and Dallas, Texas.

[3] He married Jeannette Vosburgh in 1894 and they had four children: William King, Dozier, Lee, and Janet Gardner.

He was also a Freemason belonging to the historic Tuscan Lodge #360 Masonic Temple.